Perfusionist

Duties and Responsibilities: A Perfusionist is required to concentrate for long periods of time while keeping a record of the patient's vital signs throughout surgery. They must notify the surgeon immediately of any changes, and be prepared to respond quickly to the surgeon's requests. They must be detail-oriented, follow instructions thoroughly, and respond well to emergency situations. Perfusionists are required to work well under pressure, be able to work well independently, and may be needed for post-operative support concerning the patient.

Salary: $50,000

Education: Perfusionist training programs are given at academic health centers and medical schools and universities.  They emphasize hands-on, practical training.  Course length varies, but for the school to be recognized by the American Academy of Cardiac Perfusionists, the curriculum must include the supervised performance of 150 procedures to include 20 pediatric and infant cases.

Reflection: I would not like to be a Perfusionist because it seems like I would need a lot of patience and be good on the spot, which I’m not.